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Coldplay's sixth album tops chart

Coldplay have scored their sixth UK number one album with Ghost Stories.

The new release went straight to the top of the charts, emulating the success of the British band's first five albums.

Ghost Stories is also the fastest-selling artist album of the year after 168,000 copies were bought in its first week, according to the Official Charts Company.

The previous record holder was Caustic Love by Paolo Nutini with 109,000 copies.

Coldplay's previous five studio albums have sold more than 11.1 million copies in the UK to date. They are Parachutes (2000), A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002), X&Y (2006), Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (2008) and Mylo Xyloto (2011).

Last week's chart topper, Michael Jackson's Xscape, was forced down to second place, while recently reunited bandmates Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott entered at number three with their new album What Have We Become.

Paloma Faith's A Perfect Contradiction slid one place to number four, while the 20th anniversary edition of Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe took fifth spot.

Sam Smith went straight in at number one in the singles chart with his track Stay With Me.

It is the third time the Hertfordshire-born 22-year-old has topped the charts, after he featured on Naughty Boy's La La La last year and his own single Money On My Mind debuted at number one.

He told OfficialCharts.com: "I don't even know what to say. I really poured my heart into this record and I'm just so happy people love this song. Thank you so much."

Mr Probz' laidback summer anthem Waves held on to number two, while singer-songwriter Fuse ODG scored his highest charting UK single to date with Dangerous Love ft Sean Paul at three.

Last week's number one, I Will Never Let You Down by Rita Ora, slid to number four, while Extraordinary by Clean Bandit ft Sharna Bass was new in at five.